Transcript NATURA 2000 policy framework, towards Green Infrastructure for

Natura 2000, the Ecological Network
of the European Union
Nature and Biodiversity Unit, DG Environment
European Commission
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What is happening to
biodiversity in Europe ?
 45 % of Europe’s butterflies
threatened
 38% of Europe’s birds threatened
 40% coastal dunes lost since 1900
(1/3rd - 1977)
 12% loss of grasslands in EUR 9
(1975-95)
 loss of natural forest (now 4% of
forest area)
source: European Environment Agency
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Biodiversity loss – importance of
ecosystem services
 2005 UN Millenium Ecosystem
assessment highlighted
importance of ‘ecosystem
services’
 the provision of goods – food,
fibre, fuel and medicines
 the regulation of the air we
breathe and the quality of our
waters
 soil fertility, pollination and
other essential support services
 cultural benefits – from aesthetic
enjoyment to spiritual solace
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EU Action to halt the loss of biodiversity
 2006 Communication on
halting the loss of biodiversity
to 2010 – and beyond
:Sustaining ecosystem services
for human well-being
 EU biodiversity action plan
with a clear set of targets and
actions to halt biodiversity
loss

Covers relevant sectors &
horizontal policy areas in a
unified way
 provides a joined up
approach by identifying
what needs to be done at
Community level and at MS
level.
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Critical role of EU nature legislation
and Natura 2000
 ‘Birds Directive” (79/409/EEC)
All wild birds protected + protected areas for
threatened and migrating birds
 ‘Habitats Directive’ (92/43/EEC)
Protected areas for threatened species and
habitats + list of animal & plant species in
need of strict protection
 NATURA 2000: the ecological network of
protected areas under the Birds and Habitats
Directives
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The Natura 2000 network
A major pillar of biodiversity action in Europe
A combination of species and habitats protection
Habitats Directive ~ 14% of EU territory
For Birds Directive ~ 11 % of EU territory
Total: >25,000 sites
~20 % of EU 27 territory
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Important features of NATURA 2000
 NATURA 2000 is not a set of paper parks
 Site designation exclusively based on scientific criteria
 Strong protection system
 Nature conservation considerations factored into
other decision-making
 Procedure to deal with potentially damaging
developments
 Not limited to nature reserves
 Most areas privately owned
 emphasis on conservation and sustainable use
(ecologically, economically and socially)
 Management plans are very useful tool
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Birds Directive 79/409/EEC
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Concepts and issues

birds are mobile: effective conservation is a trans-frontier
problem entailing common responsibilities

increased concern about killing of birds , especially in
Mediterranean

increased threats from many EC economic activities, notably
agriculture
BD/D.2/09.12.98
Provides common basis to ensure:





protection of all wild bird species in the European
territory of the Community
sufficient habitat conservation especially for
endangered as well as migratory species
avoidance of pollution and deterioration of habitats or
any disturbance of birds in protected areas
outlawing of all means of large scale or non-selective
killing of birds
hunting is controlled
BD/D.2/09.12.98
Member States must (1):




take special conservation measures concerning the habitat of
Annex I species
classify the most suitable territories in number and size as
special protection areas (SPAs) for Annex I species
take similar measures for regularly occurring migratory
species not listed in Annex I
pay particular attention to the protection of wetlands and
particularly to wetlands of international importance.
BD/D.2/09.12.98
Member States must (2):



send the Commission all relevant information for coordination of SPAs as a coherent whole
with respect to SPAs, take appropriate steps to avoid
pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbance
affecting the birds
outside SPAs, strive to avoid pollution or deterioration of
habitats.
BD/D.2/09.12.98
THE DIRECTIVE PROVISIONS
 ALL birds are protected
 KEY element is habitat protection (SPA’s)
 MOST controversial element is hunting:
 Some species may be hunted (listed in Annex II-III)
 General principles ruling hunting seasons, means and
methods
 Derogations under certain conditions to allow
shooting/capture of protected bird species and/or the use of
prohibited means/methods
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Setting up Natura 2000
Birds Directive
1)
Member States classify (CC: by accession)
2) Commission takes coordinating role
Reference list: Important Bird Areas (IBAs) based on
international criteria
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% Terrestrial
Marine Area (km2)
SPAs - database 2009
30
18 000
16 000
25
14 000
20
12 000
10 000
15
8 000
10
6 000
4 000
5
2 000
UK
SE
SI
SK
PL
PT
RO
LU
LV
M
T
NL
IT
LT
HU
IE
FI
FR
EL
ES
DK
EE
CZ
DE
0
BG
CY
AT
BE
0
Large variation, some MS still not sufficient
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What is the target of protection under
Natura 2000?
Species and habitats
of Community interest
 Habitats Directive (its annexes I-V)

appr. 220 habitats types

appr. 1100 species
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SPECIES OF EU INTEREST
HABITATS DIRECTIVE

endangered

vulnerable (likely to become
endangered)

rare (small populations at risk)

endemic requiring particular
attention
BD/D.2/09.12.98
Setting up Natura 2000
1)
National lists proposed (CC: by accession)
2)
Selection process on biogeographical level (aim:
Community list) - MS & EC - max. 3 years
3)
Designation by MS max. 6 years after Community list
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NATURA 2000 network
Habitat types (Annex I)
« Habitats » Directive
Species
Art. 3
(Annex II)
National list of sites
May 2004
List of Sites of Community Importance
2005 - 2006
Special Conservation Areas
End 2007
« Birds » Directive
Art. 4
NATURA 2000
Special Protection Areas
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NA103IT
The map covers not only the EU Member States but other
countries
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% Terrestrial
Marine Area (km2)
SCIs - database 2009
35
25 000
30
20 000
25
20
15 000
15
10 000
10
5 000
5
(2
)
SE
SI
SK
LV
M
T
NL
HU
IE
IT
LT
LU
FI
FR
EE
EL
ES
PL
PT
RO
UK
CY
(1
)
CZ
DE
DK
0
AT
BE
BG
0
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ARE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED ON NATURA 2000 SITES?
 Not ‘a priori’ prohibition of new activities
 Developments assessed on a case-by-case basis
 Evaluation and decision procedure
 Supplementary protection measures for priority habitats
 Documents/guides on article 6
 Encourage the MS to compile similar documents
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Article 6 of the Habitats Directive
 For sites Member States shall:

Establish necessary conservation measures
 Avoid deterioration
 Prepare appropriate assessment for any plan or project (except
direct management of site)

Likely to have a significant effect on site
 Either individually or in combination with other plans or projects
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Article 6
 Requirements have to be transposed in the national
legislation
 “Appropriate assessment” might be a separate document or
part of the EIA package
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Art. 6.3 and 6.4
“Habitats” Directive
Plan/project with impact on a site
1
Is the plan/project likely to have a negative impact on the values of the NATURA
2000 site?
YES
EVALUATION OF CONSEQUENCES

2
Does the evaluation conclude that there will be significant negative
consequences?
YES
STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

3
If the initial project is kept
• No priority habitats/species and overriding public interest
YES

Inform the Commission
COMPENSATION MEASURES
• Priority habitats/species and specific interest for human health, public safety
or environment
YES
Opinion of the Commission
COMPENSATION MEASURES
• Priority habitats/species and other overriding public interests

YES
NA107IT

OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
+ COMPENSATION MEASURES
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Guidance documents, for example
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Habitats Directive
Species protection
 Strictly protected species listed in Annex IV (parallel
structure with Annex II -site protection)
 Species, whose exploitation may be subject to management
measures Annex V
 Prohibition of certain methods of capture / killing / transport
Annex VI
 Derogation scheme (art 16)
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How is NATURA 2000 being financed ?

Habitats Directive foresees EU cofinancing
 Pilot projects under LIFE
Programmes: e.g. the 1993-2008
database contains 132 projects
with the keyword ecotourism
 NATURA 2000 financial
opportunities integrated into
different EU funds (Regional
Development, Rural Development)
 Aim to ensure that management
of Natura 2000 sites is part of the
wider land management policies
of Member States
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LIFE-Nature
- a pool of good
examples
http://www.europa.eu.
int/comm/
environment/life/
project/index.htm
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Natura 2000
Newsletter
•in 5 languages (en, fr, de, it, es)
•twice a year
Publications &
guidelines
« Green Days »
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For more information, please consult:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/environment
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